Visitor’s Guide

Eventing Overview

Originally titled “Militaire,” the sport of eventing started as a way to test military horses, showcasing what it took to be a great horse on and off the battlefield. Competition has three elements: dressage, cross country and show jumping.

Dressage

A good dressage test lays the foundation for the rest of the competition and sets a champion up for success. The best dressage tests take place without a word, demonstrating a remarkable form of communication between top riders and their horses. Read more about dressage here…

Cross Country

The most dangerous of any eventing element, not only does cross country test a horse’s jumping ability, it also demands a high level of trust between horse and rider. The rider is the only one to have seen the course prior to competition, so the horse must trust the rider in order to execute the obstacle or question. In turn, riders must understand what their horses are capable of jumping in order to complete the course.

The eventing course at The Event at Rebecca Farm is known for obstacles, or questions, that incorporate the beautiful backdrop of the Flathead Valley—from solid-as-a-rock railroad ties that test fearlessness of horses to intimidating jump borders that echo the angles of nearby mountain ranges—tempting horses and riders from across the nation to test their mettle. Read more about cross country here…

Show Jumping

To complete this final phase with finesse, riders need athletic horses in excellent physical condition, particularly after the more grueling cross-country. Though it is hard to get out of this final event phase with a perfect score, champions are typically made by jumping “clear” and without incurring time or fault penalties. Read more about show jumping here…

Spectators

Thank you for your cooperation and enjoy your time at Rebecca Farm!

Rules to remember:

- Horses always have the right of way.
- Stay behind any marked barriers or ropes.
- Look both ways before crossing the course.
- Be aware of galloping or loose horses.
- Keep a 'Heads Up' attitude, but enjoy walking the cross-country course and arena areas.
- Stay out of pathways and away from obstacles.

Courses change frequently! What was safe one minute can be dangerous the next. Keep pets leashed and children supervised.

Admission is free though we ask for a suggested parking donation to support Halt Cancer at X. You’ll receive one program for each $10 donation or the $25 weekend pass. Additional programs can be purchased at our Hospitality Tent. Visit the crew in the Hospitality Tent to answer all questions and assist you in finding your way around the Farm.

Being a spectator at The Event at Rebecca Farm is an exciting experience! View our spectator map, below, to better understand the lay of the land. During the competition, download our cross-country course maps to see the variety of courses for each division.

Wander the grounds with your family…but be aware. Eventing can be hazardous for the uniformed spectator. Always ask one of the officials if you have a question and they will be happy to assist you.

Your four legged friends are welcome on a leash and under your supervision. Please pick up after your dogs to keep the facility clean and do not leave your dogs unattended in your parked vehicle.

Facilities Map

Shopping Fair & Festival

Come for the horses and stay for the shopping! With over 90 vendors from all over the Northwest and beyond, you’re sure to find something you love. Grab a bite to eat from one of our delectable food concessionaires—ranging from good ‘ol BBQ to Asian inspired cuisine. Cool down with homemade ice cream and shaved ice. The Shopping Fair & Festival runs all 4 days, Thursday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The Pony Up Experience

Calling young horse enthusiasts! Join ponies Silver and Polly Pocket, along with the Whitefish Equestrian Center and Mountain View Farms, and learn all about our favorite four-legged friends during The 2019 Event at Rebecca Farm.

Pony Up, held in our Kid Zone, is open to the public and free to attend. Each fun, one-hour interactive session teaches a part of Horsemanship 101, such as how to approach a horse and mount/dismount; a demonstration of grooming tools and how to use each one; types of horses, including common colors and markings, and how to saddle.

In 2019, Pony Up! will be offered a first come, first serve basis similar to all other activities in our free Kid Zone. Pony Up will be located immediately adjacent to the pony rides. Kids who wish to participate in Pony Up must wear closed-toe footwear and a parent in attendance to observe throughout the hour-long class. We also encourage parents to provide their kiddos with a hat, sunscreen, and a full water bottle (which can easily be filled at the water station in the shopping faire).

Pony Up classes will be held Friday, July 26 through Sunday, July 28. Each daily class is one hour and several classes are held per day for kids of all ages. Kids who attend a class each day will receive a special, horse-centric packet and Horsemanship 101 certificate. Classes will be held at the following times:

Friday

11 a.m.

1 p.m.

3 p.m.

Saturday

11 a.m.

1 p.m.

3 p.m.

Sunday

11 a.m.

1 p.m.

Pony Up registration coming soon!

Area Info

We wish you a wonderful visit to this special part of the world that is Montana and home of Rebecca Farm.

From US 93 North: Turn right onto West Reserve Drive. Follow to end. Turn right onto West Reserve Drive. Go straight through round-a-bout. Continue 1 mile and turn left onto West Springcreek Rd. Competition will be 3/4 mile on right.

From US 2: Turn west onto West Reserve Drive. Follow to end. Turn right onto West Reserve Drive. Go straight through round-a-bout. Continue 1 mile and turn left onto West Springcreek Rd. Competition will be 3/4 mile on right.

General Distances:

• 644 miles from Salt Lake City
• 550 miles from Seattle
• 385 miles from W. Yellowstone
• 315 miles from Calgary
• 280 miles from Banff
• 269 miles from Spokane
• 136 miles from Missoula

Air Travel

Glacier Park International Airport: Among the closest direct air service into a mountain resort community in the U.S., Glacier Park International Airport (airport code FCA) offers 30 flights daily by Delta Airlines/SkyWest, Alaska / Horizon & United Express/SkyWest. The large jet-served airport has recently undergone a multi-million dollar renovation including a new terminal building and enhanced baggage facility. Once you have actually arrived, you won't need to take yet another long journey to your final destination. Located just 10 miles from Kalispell, travel time from the airport is 15 minutes to Rebecca Farm.

Horizon Air (Alaska Airlines Connection)
1-800-547-9308www.alaskaair.com
Horizon is the regional carrier for Alaska Airlines offering daily service through Seattle.

United Airlines/SkyWest
1-800-864-8331www.united.com
United Airlines offers daily service through Denver and seasonal weekend service through Chicago.

Train

Amtrak: The Empire Builder pulls into the historic Whitefish Depot in downtown Whitefish daily from Seattle and Portland (west) and Minneapolis and Chicago (east). Glacier National Park day trips are available with a morning train departing Whitefish (heading east) to Glacier National Park and an evening westbound train returning from the Park to Whitefish. The Whitefish Depot boasts the busiest Amtrak stop between Seattle and Minneapolis with approximately 60,000 passengers annually.

Car Rental

Airport: National, Budget, Avis and Hertz car rental are located in the terminal at Glacier Park International Airport. Dollar, Payless, Enterprise and Thrifty Rental are available nearby and offer complimentary shuttle service.

Whitefish: Rocky Mountain Transportation/Hertz, Budget and Dollar have satellite locations in Whitefish.
Whitefish Depot: Hertz and Dollar are available at the train station.

About Rebecca Farm

History of The Event

The Event at Rebecca Farm started with a dedicated crew of local eventers who loved the local venue, Herron Park, but knew that more was possible. The inaugural competition in 2002 put Rebecca Farm on the map. It was a huge success with over 150 competitors. In 2004, The Event became a USEF (United States Equestrian Federation) and USEA (United States Eventing Association) recognized Gold Cup Series and a Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) World Cup eventing competition.

During the first year as a World Cup Qualifier, The Event drew 380 competitors, a 200 rider increase from 2003. By 2009, The Event had well over 500 entries with 421 of those riders competing all four days. 2011 was one of 12 three-star (***) competitions in the U.S. and an important competition for athletes vying to go to the London Olympics in 2012.

Now, The Event runs almost 600 horses over 4 days of competition creating a $4.4 million economic impact to the local area.

"Rebecca Farm is such an amazing venue that the Broussard family brought to fruition from crop fields," said Olympian Karen O'Connor. "I have been competing internationally for two decades across 27 countries and Rebecca Farm is the best venue I have ever been to in the world."

The Event at Rebecca Farm has become the largest equestrian eventing competition in the United States. The nation's best horses and riders compete alongside horses and riders of all ages and levels from across the continent.

The Cross Country Course

A 640-acre parcel of land in the vast valley north of Kalispell in 2000 and construction of arenas, barns and a show office began. Captain Mark Phillips, a world-renowned course designer, was flown in from England to design the first cross-country course.

In 2012, organizers wanted to give the course a fresh feel, bringing on former Olympian and Hall of Fame equestrian Ian Stark. Organizers reversed the course direction originally established over a decade earlier. The sinuous, 4-mile cross-country course features over 150 obstacles and four water complexes. Stark’s signature courses build brave riders and strong horses for developing riders, especially in the West and Northwest.
International equestrians observe that Rebecca Farm’s unique course—which adorns each jump and obstacle with artistry—stands out among world venues. The beauty of the course has blossomed over the past decade thanks to a dedicated staff, including course builders Bert Wood and Matt Langliers.

In Memory

U.S. Eventing Association (USEA) President Kevin Baumgardner summed it up when he said, “She is, hands down, the most important person in Eventing in the Western United States and arguably the most important person in Eventing in the entire nation."

Rebecca Broussard, a visionary in the world of Equestrian Eventing, died on Dec. 24, 2010 after a brave battle with cancer. Friends and family gathered on Christmas to honor her life, while public celebrations of her legacy will be planned at equestrian competitions this summer.
Becky had long talked about her love of helping riders in the West compete on the world stage and her vision included the historic possibilities of bringing riders from Europe to Montana in the future. In 2010 she helped organize an historic flight of 18 horses from the East Coast, including many Olympians, who competed at her namesake Event.

Becky was also a member of PEO, an international association that supports education for women, and involved in the Flathead Festival, Glacier Chorale & Symphony, Backcountry Horsemen, Human Therapy on Horseback, Whitefish Winter Classic, and the local Eventing association. She established a million-dollar scholarship fund at Flathead Valley Community College, was a major supporter of the Kentucky Horse Park, served on the international committee for The World Equestrian Games, and supported dozens of local charities such as Shepherd's Hand and the United Way.

In Becky's memory, the Broussard family launched The Rebecca Broussard International Developing Rider Grant in 2011, offering an unprecedented $250,000 fund through the United States Eventing Association Endowment Trust that will, over the following five years, offer an annual $50,000 training and competition grant to developing riders who are successfully competing at the advanced level. The grant represents the fulfillment of Becky's desire to help riders achieve the goal of representing the U.S. in international team competition.

"My mom touched the Eventing careers of so many riders," said her daughter, Sarah Broussard. "She will truly be missed, but she has left behind a legacy that will live on forever. Not only at The Event at Rebecca Farm, but through all of the lives that she has touched that will keep her and her memory alive. "